BRAND NEW KAWASAKI ZX10r

[cowpoos]

its here...and looks mighty similar to some pics in a new thread posted recently!! http://www.motorcycledaily.com/11september07_kawasaki2008ninja_zx10r.htm

wonder if it makes a better race bike than previous versions??

[Mr. Peanut]

Looks like a K5 Gixxer from that angle.

[cowpoos]

Looks like a K5 Gixxer from that angle.
did someone just poke you in the fricken eyes or something???


I do think the pipes a bit ghey!! [would probally suit the new cbr1000rr...lol ;) ]

[et al]

I do think the pipes a bit ghey!!
Agree with that. Seems like some (all?) of the Japanese manufacturers are losing the plot regarding Exhaust Can styling. I realise might be something to do with Euro compliance but I think they are taking the "side exit/GP style" fad a bit too far.

[Cajun]

bore/stroke same as previous model, same with compression, so not real changes with motor, so more just FI changes, + styling


Though tire side had gone from 190/50 to 190/55 but look at specs of 07 zx10r its 190/55

[merv]

So underseat is so last year and this is the latest styling fad.

I see also you now have fairings you have when you're not having a fairing with the motor all sticking out in view.

[ponch]

Big question, what have they done with the intake, almost looks like there is a hint of RSV snorter between the headlights?

Definitely ride it for the team :D

[codgyoleracer]

Looks quite different, as far as the race bike comment things like - I see no adjustable swingarm pivot, brake callipers are different, engine cases are different, wheels & discs look similar, Looks like an additional steering damper up top in front of tank, Swingarm is different, frame looks similar (but no doubt is "all new")
GlenW
Go The Kawasakis !

[-=G_R=-]

They changed the clutch basket cover and alternator cover to look better (not boring rounded shit for a change), starter idler and crank cover are the same (identical looking) to 06 and 07 so I'd doubt they changed much in the engine apart from injectors. Noticed a pretty rats arse lookin modesty cover on the left and right side around the heads. Frame is slightly slimmer down the bottom and probably top (probably made it thicker width ways instead), subframe obviously new. They will have had to design a new swingarm (obviously visible) because they dropped the undertail exhausts (current setup goes through a hole/gap in swingarm...
Plastic inserts by bar ends are gone looks like single fairing all the way up. Rear of the rider seat got thinner and less rounded so will probably feel a little different. Finally made rearsets black to match the frame.
Catalic convertors seem same, so headers probably are they just changed the 3rd section of the system after the cats to fit the monstrosity on it for smuggling pies.
Re done the nosewheel fairing to be thinner, no stupid plastic bits on the side anymore that stick out like a baboons arse. Rear reservoir is not mounted on pillion hanger anymore (congratufukinlations kawasaki).
Looks like the same shitty mass produced externally to Ohlins damper and different wheels.

Why's the 10 a bad/hard to do racebike outta interest, poos?

[imdying]

So underseat is so last year and this is the latest styling fad.More likely they've not been able to get a muffler large enough to accommodate a big enough cat, under the seat.

[Kflasher]

yup it does it for me... I want one, would have to mod that muffler tho.

[limbimtimwim]

bore/stroke same as previous model, same with compression, so not real changes with motor, so more just FI changes, + stylinIt could be a new motah, just Kawasaki think that they have found the optimum configuration already, so the changes are somewhere else.

[imdying]

More likely they've not been able to get a muffler large enough to accommodate a big enough cat, under the seat.Of course, the cat can still be under the bike... now that cats are getting bigger, the extra weight in pipe work might be getting too much?

It could be a new motah, just Kawasaki think that they have found the optimum configuration already, so the changes are somewhere else.Yep, could be as simple as fixing last years stuff ups (the thingy ma jiggy doesn't last long enough, the piston skirt can stand to be 1mm thinner and 2mm shorter, that sort of stuff, etc etc)

[-=G_R=-]

Of course, the cat can still be under the bike... now that cats are getting bigger, the extra weight in pipe work might be getting too much?

Yeah the hangar is looking pretty beefy eh with all that weight. Cats in 06/07/08 model are under the bike (can see them... they bulge out from normal 2+" diameter that the rest of the system is). Its a double cat under the oil pan, real prick if the bike goes for a nice roll in the park, 'cus it has a nice chance of cracking the oil pan with the thick as hell bolt on section joins of the cat ;)

[cowpoos]

Why's the 10 a bad/hard to do racebike outta interest, poos?


Not having ridden one in race form I can't and am probally not as qualified as some to give and first hand opinion...

But the people racing them all tend to agree they are a bitchy thing to get the setup right on...and are prone to wheelie big time...I've never heard anyone mention or coment...nore have I read anything about them being low on power...infact in superstock form apparently they are class leaders in the power department... bearing in mind that the 06-07 current zx10r is kawa's second go at making a thousand cc superbike...I'ld say they're not doing to bad!! and as a Kawasaki fan myself..I would like nothing more than to race the new zx10r...if its compeditive! [mind you it wouldn't take much to beat my curent bike with the current level of superbikes!!]

[codgyoleracer]

Not having ridden one in race form I can't and am probally not as qualified as some to give and first hand opinion...

But the people racing them all tend to agree they are a bitchy thing to get the setup right on...and are prone to wheelie big time...I've never heard anyone mention or coment...nore have I read anything about them being low on power...infact in superstock form apparently they are class leaders in the power department... bearing in mind that the 06-07 current zx10r is kawa's second go at making a thousand cc superbike...I'ld say they're not doing to bad!! and as a Kawasaki fan myself..I would like nothing more than to race the new zx10r...if its compeditive! [mind you it wouldn't take much to beat my curent bike with the current level of superbikes!!]

My experience is that they certainly are "enlightening" to race , & are a nice angry bike with an "interesting" power delivery. Getting the squat dialed out of the rear end helps the drive & limits the wheelie tendency - but they do have a propensity for eating rear tyres & getting them hot. They are a little bit old school steeringwise & make you tired pretty quickly at full noise on the track.
There have been quite a few good results around the world for the big Kawasaki (particularily Hawk in the UK).

Bloody good fun tho & if you get a chance to give one a proper thrash on the track - its hard to beat there induction / engine noise !

GlenW :beer:

[dickytoo]

The Zx10r has won the Canadian Superbike championship the last couple of years. they also won the supersport class the last two years as well.

In the States, they are starting to get some good results as well. I think Kawasaki haven't spent as much as they could have their results tend to reflect this.

On a side note, Derek McAdam is doing ok on a ZX10r with a basically standard front end and a ohlins rear (not the latest fang dangle) one. The engine hasn't been touched yet either, so maybe there is more to come. we certainly hope so.

[justsomeguy]

Are you guys sure that isn't a photoshopped K7Thou??

[Qkchk]

All I can say is:


It's a F@#ken Green Gixer! :rofl:

Wonder if they will last longer than a Gixxer?

[dickytoo]

Are you guys sure that isn't a photoshopped K7Thou??

even the guys on the zx10 forum seems to have accepted it as the real mccoy and they are quite cynical about new releases at the best of times.

http://www.zx-10r.net (http://www.zx-10r.net/)

[Chickenlegs]

Different it may be. And it's not FUGLY like the HONDA.

Photoshopped orange version with Akra pipe looks awesome...

[Tickler]

interesting...
personally looks to have taken a step backward (hard to really tell thou)

Indicators? on the mirrors?
Headlight? is looking like a single unit?
Exhaust? add a twin in the other side and call it zx10r k7
Kawasaki? leaning towards Suzuki?

Time will tell what the green machine will do. I hope its great!

[Paulus]

Different it may be. And it's not FUGLY like the HONDA.



You're right there, it's fugly in a whole different way to the Honda. Both pretty nasty.

[justsomeguy]

even the guys on the zx10 forum seems to have accepted it as the real mccoy and they are quite cynical about new releases at the best of times.

http://www.zx-10r.net

I see, any chances of seeing Sugi out on one soon?

[FkNAmerican]

damn, seems like Kawasaki is going with that shit exhaust on many of thier models. Oh well, I wouldnt keep the stock can anyway so its really a non-issue.

On the plus side, it looks hella better then the new CBR-1000 (which looks like a motorcycle version of the child Helen Clark and Elton John might produce should they be forced to procreate) and it looks slightly better then the GSXR-1000.

The Yamaha R-1 is still the best looking "affordable" literbike IMO.

[justsomeguy]

The Yamaha R-1 is still the best looking "affordable" literbike IMO.

It sure is. Pity they aren't as nervous as gixxers, hate their lazy handling.

[Qkchk]

It sure is. Pity they aren't as nervous as gixxers, hate their lazy handling.

Then obviously you rode a dud one........... Fast, sharp front end.

[boomer]

Then obviously you rode a dud one........... Fast, sharp front end.

Did someone fast ride ya bike and tell ya that? :whistle:

[jonbuoy]

WTF is that festering pustule sticking out the side? Are they having a competition to see who can make the ugliest zorst? :sick:

[Fatjim]

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=257

[Chickenlegs]

The more I see it, the more I like it... Minus the pipe of course...

Better in orange though...

[Squiggles]

its here...and looks mighty similar to some pics in a new thread posted recently!! http://www.motorcycledaily.com/11september07_kawasaki2008ninja_zx10r.htm

wonder if it makes a better race bike than previous versions??

wow, i actually like that look... :drool:

[cowpoos]

wow, i actually like that look... :drool:
bastard....stop drooling on my screen!!

[Nutter34]

Saw this photoshopped version on ZX-10R.net....

[ninjac]

Its too bitsy, not as pretty as the 6R.

[BarBender]

I like....:2thumbsup

[Bren]

one word.....NICE!...oh and a few others....bugger bikes have come a long way!

[sAsLEX]

More likely they've not been able to get a muffler large enough to accommodate a big enough cat, under the seat.

A cat work best close to the heat so they warm up quickly, hence why cars have them up front close to the hot bit, whilst the main silencer is to the rear.


Could they not follow that as a technical solution rather than the styling option they have taken? Where does the Duke GP bike exit? That aint exactly a slow one.....

[discotex]

Saw this photoshopped version on ZX-10R.net....

Wow that looks so much better with the can photoshopped in. To be honest I thought the '08 was pig ugly at first but it's quickly growing on me. Can't wait to see one in the flesh.

skidMark, how's about photoshopping us up a black one?

[imdying]

Where does the Duke GP bike exit? That aint exactly a slow one.....On a GP7, out the back

http://rampert.blogs.com/rampert/images/ducati_superbike.jpg

[0arbreaka]

I have to say i actually quite like it, although the first thing I would do is change the pipe to something a fuck load better looking

[sAsLEX]

On a GP7, out the back

http://rampert.blogs.com/rampert/images/ducati_superbike.jpg

RR out the top.

Kinda like base bleed in weapons.

http://www.robotpig.net/automotive/en_desmosedici.php

[*caution*]

Well theres a few more specs and pics out now:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/25september07_2008kawasaki_ninja_zx10r.htm

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=257

No dirt on the HP though, but yikes, its eyes are too close together!!

[sAsLEX]

Well theres a few more specs and pics out now:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/25september07_2008kawasaki_ninja_zx10r.htm

http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/detail.aspx?id=257

No dirt on the HP though, but yikes, its eyes are too close together!!

Top fairing loooks kinda new Buellish

[MotoGirl]

In my opinion I reckon they've taken a step backwards with this model. :dodge:
I don't like the sharp angle that the tail piece goes up in. Imagine being a pillion on the back of that - you'd feel like you were hovering mid-air!
The front headlights also look cross eyed.

[imdying]

RR out the top.

Kinda like base bleed in weapons.

http://www.robotpig.net/automotive/en_desmosedici.phpYep, that's the road bike, not the gp bike.

[BarBender]

After market radiator guards will be popular...

[sAsLEX]

Yep, that's the road bike, not the gp bike.

The earlier GP bike exited up though did it not?


BUt that is the one I meant....... silly anorak spotters......

[imdying]

The earlier GP bike exited up though did it not?Depends on how early you want to go, they've built a lot of bikes :lol:

[sAsLEX]

Depends on how early you want to go, they've built a lot of bikes :lol:

916 were the first to do the underseat thing were they not?

[imdying]

Yeah, first Duke as far as I know. Most of the styling cues from the 916 are a rip off of the NR750 though, including the underseat exhaust styling.

[Fatjim]

Color choices:
Lime Green / Flat Super Black
Metallic Diablo Black
Candy Plasma Blue / Flat Super BlackAlso, looks like Diablos might be OEM. And it would be good to know what "Ohlins steering damper deveoloped specifically for the ZX10R" means, aren;t the off the shelf ones good enough, or are they too expensive.

[vifferman]

I think they are taking the "side exit/GP style" fad a bit too far.
... or not far enough. Proper side-exit/GP style zorsts would be good, with that built-in safety feature of other motorists being able to hear you coming a week before you'd even left your gargre...

[Toast]

You'd think that the big news would not be about the look of the headlights or the fact the arse is too high to make touring pleasant for a pillion...

the thing has traction control!!! This is potentially a landmark in sportsbike (and production based racing) history.

[Paulus]

You'd think that the big news would not be about the look of the headlights or the fact the arse is too high to make touring pleasant for a pillion...

the thing has traction control!!! This is potentially a landmark in sportsbike (and production based racing) history.

It looks really tiny too for a 1000 (unlike the current model).

[limbimtimwim]

the thing has traction control!!! This is potentially a landmark in sportsbike (and production based racing) history.
Professional riders know it’s useless to have the most power if you can’t get it to the ground. The 2008 Ninja ZX-10R features a new ignition system that assists with torque management by monitoring throttle opening, gear position and rate of RPM change, then retarding ignition timing to reduce torque when sudden unwanted RPM spikes are detected. This system doesn’t interfere with normal operation and still allows the engine to rev freely under typical riding conditions.But they don't call it that. Funny that.

I suspect Ducati could also have it ready in some form for the 1098.

I guess it lets them show up at superbike races and maybe use traction control legitimately.

[MD]

Forget the performance & HP figures. Forget the new muffler. The important detail is the ugly placement of the indicators half way up the mirror stalk!:sick:
WHY, WHY !! Did they run out of wiring to go the last 2 inches and integrate the indicator lens unit with the mirror housing? That will be the question people will still ask in 20 years time about the 2008 ZX10R.
It looks like a wart has grown on the stalk.

[*caution*]

Forget the performance & HP figures. Forget the new muffler. The important detail is the ugly placement of the indicators half way up the mirror stalk!:sick:.

I need my eyesight checked, didn't even notice till you pointed it out, but now that you have :gob:, i'm sure it must be to do with euro III, thats what they seem to blame everything on....

anyone feel the headlight area is kinda similar to a FXR150??? I'm still shaking my head at those headlights.

But damn that Ninja 250 is fine!!

[kiwifruit]

when are they available in nz?

[Toast]

Superbike that pussies can ride:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/11december07_2008_kawasaki_zx10r.htm

Sounds good :niceone:

[Mental Trousers]

Superbike that pussies can ride:

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/11december07_2008_kawasaki_zx10r.htm

Sounds good :niceone:
I thought that was the C mode GSXR1000 ...

[cowpoos]

when are they available in nz?
autum.......................

[kiwifruit]

autum.......................

fall ?

[dickytoo]

i was talking to mike wilkins at kawasaki and he said they would be in early next year, in time for the winter series.

[cowpoos]

fall ?
yes you probally will!

[dickytoo]

http://www.roadracerx.com/article.php?article_id=633

[kiwifruit]

lToTgZMtOFQ

last 1/3 is interesting
perhaps the traction control is sapping the power?
perhaps the rider over revs too far?
perhaps the r1 is faster?

[Mort]

I've always fancied a ZX10R... just never had the bottle to buy one.... They are a mad thing.

[skidMark]

It has USD's so it must be fucking mean.